The taskbar moves by dragging it to a new edge
The Windows taskbar — the bar that holds your Start button, clock, and open programs — sits at the bottom of your screen by default. You can move it to the top, left side, or right side by dragging it. The process takes about ten seconds and works the same way on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The taskbar will only move if it is unlocked. Most Windows computers come with the taskbar locked to prevent accidental dragging. You unlock it first, drag it to the new position, then lock it again to keep it there. The lock is a safety feature — without it, bumping the taskbar with your mouse could shift it across your screen.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click the taskbar on an empty area and select "Lock the taskbar" to toggle the lock off before you can move it.
- Once unlocked, click and drag the taskbar from its current edge to whichever edge you want — top, bottom, left, or right.
- The taskbar will snap into place along the new edge automatically and rearrange its icons to fit the orientation.
- Lock the taskbar again after moving it to prevent it from shifting by accident when you brush against it.
- Windows remembers the taskbar position after you restart, so you only need to move it once.
Unlock the taskbar first
Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar — anywhere that does not have a button or icon. A menu will appear with several options. The empty space is usually to the right of the clock or to the left of the system tray icons on the far right.
Look for the option that says "Lock the taskbar". If the taskbar is currently locked, this option will have a checkmark next to it. Click on it to remove the checkmark and unlock the taskbar. You will see the checkmark disappear. The taskbar is now ready to move, and you should be able to drag it without resistance.
Drag the taskbar to its new position
Click and hold on an empty area of the taskbar, then drag it toward the edge where you want it to go. You can move it to the top of the screen, the left side, the right side, or back to the bottom. As you drag, the taskbar will follow your mouse and show you a preview of where it will land.
When you reach the edge you want, release the mouse button. The taskbar will snap into place along that edge. The Start button, clock, and all your pinned icons will rotate or rearrange to fit the new orientation. If you move the taskbar to the left or right, it will become a vertical bar instead of a horizontal one, and the icons will stack vertically.
Lock the taskbar to keep it in place
Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar again and select "Lock the taskbar". This time there will be no checkmark next to it, so clicking will add one back. You will see the checkmark reappear. The taskbar is now locked in its new position and will not move if you accidentally brush against it with your mouse.
Locking the taskbar is important because an unlocked taskbar can shift if you drag across it while moving a window or selecting text. Once locked, the taskbar stays exactly where you put it until you unlock it again.
Moving the taskbar back to the bottom
If you want to return the taskbar to the bottom — where it started — follow the same steps. Unlock it by right-clicking and selecting "Lock the taskbar" to remove the checkmark. Then drag it to the bottom edge of the screen and lock it again. The taskbar will return to its default position and appearance.
Some people move the taskbar to the side to gain more vertical space on their monitor, especially on smaller screens or laptops. Others prefer it at the top for personal preference or to match a previous version of Windows. There is no performance difference between positions — it is purely about what works best for how you use your computer and what fits your workspace.
What to do if the taskbar will not move
If the taskbar is still locked after you clicked the unlock option, try right-clicking again and checking whether "Lock the taskbar" still has a checkmark. If it does, the unlock did not take. Click it again to remove the checkmark. Sometimes the menu closes before the change registers, so you may need to right-click twice.
On rare occasions, Windows needs a moment to register the unlock. Wait a few seconds after unlocking, then try dragging. If the taskbar still will not move, restart your computer — this clears temporary glitches that can prevent the taskbar from responding. After restart, unlock the taskbar and try dragging again. If it still does not work, check whether another program is preventing the taskbar from moving, though this is uncommon on standard Windows installations.
Adjusting taskbar size after moving it
When you move the taskbar to the side, you may want to make it wider or narrower to fit your screen better. You can resize it by dragging the inner edge of the taskbar toward or away from the center of your screen. The taskbar must be unlocked to resize it.
Position your mouse on the inner edge of the taskbar — the edge closest to your desktop — until the cursor changes to a resize arrow. Then click and drag to make the taskbar wider or narrower. Release when it reaches the size you want. Lock the taskbar again to keep the new size in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move just part of the taskbar?
No. The entire taskbar moves as one unit to whichever edge you drag it to. You cannot split it or move individual sections separately. All your pinned programs, the Start button, and the system tray move together.
Will moving the taskbar affect my programs or files?
No. Moving the taskbar only changes where the taskbar appears on your screen. Your programs, files, desktop, and everything else on your computer remain unchanged. It is purely a visual change.
What if I move the taskbar and it looks wrong?
Unlock the taskbar and drag it back to the bottom, then lock it again. The taskbar will return to its default appearance. You can also right-click the taskbar and look for "Taskbar settings" to adjust its size, appearance, or behavior if you want to fine-tune how it looks.
Does the taskbar stay in the new position after I restart?
Yes. Once you lock the taskbar in its new position, Windows remembers that location. The taskbar will be in the same place the next time you turn on your computer, so you only need to move it once.
Can I hide the taskbar when it is on the side?
Yes. Right-click the taskbar, select "Taskbar settings", and look for an option to auto-hide the taskbar. When enabled, the taskbar will disappear until you move your mouse to that edge of the screen, giving you more space for your windows.